Contacts with Syria’s National Coalition not ruled out - FM

The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces was set up in Doha on November 11

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MOSCOW, December 27 (Itar-Tass) — Russia does not rule contacts with representatives of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said on Thursday.

“We do not refuse from this dialogue and conduct it with all representatives of Syria’s opposition groups,” he said.

“This is quite a different talk when and at what level (such meetings will take place – Itar-Tass),” Lukashevich said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on December 20 Russia was ready to work with the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, but had no plans to recognize it.

“We don’t need to recognize or not recognize whomsoever it might be. We work with all the parties, who represent certain groups of the Syrian opposition. In the same way we are ready to work with the National Coalition or any other configuration which may appear on the political playing field, on the opposition side.”

“The importance lies not in giving or withholding recognition but in pushing everyone in the same direction,” he said.

The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces was set up in Doha on November 11. In December the coalition was recognized by the Friends of Syria group at its fourth meeting in Marrakesh.